The abduction took place Saturday evening in Lake George

Update 7/21 10:35am: At a press conference Monday, New York State Police confirmed Melina's father, 45 year old Luciano Frattolin has been charged with with murder and concealment of a human corpse. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Ticonderoga town court later Monday. 

Update 7:41pm: New York State Police say there will likely be a press conference on Monday, no exact time has been announced yet.

Update 5:36pm: NewsChannel 13's Mark Mulholland says the father, who is currently being held in connection with the death of 9 year old Melina, is the founder of a coffee company based in Ethiopia.

Update 5:00pm: According to News 10, the Warren County Sheriff's office received a call at 9:58pm Saturday from a father reporting his daughter had gone missing, last seen near Exit 22 of the Northway. The father has been identified as 45 year old Luciano Frattolin. Both the father and daughter are reportedly residents of Canada. Police now say there is no indication an abduction took place.

Update 4:38pm: In a post on X, CBS 6 says police found inconsistencies in the father's report.

BREAKING: State police say the body of Melina Frattolin has been found, in Ticonderoga. They say there were inconsistencies in her father's story and at this time, there is no indication that an abduction took place.https://t.co/uDO1DsKYhS

— CBS 6 Albany - WRGB (@CBS6Albany) July 20, 2025

Update 4:34pm: CBS 6 reports the girl was found dead in the town of Ticonderoga, about 50 miles north of where she was last seen.

Update 3:18pm: A heartbreaking update the share, NewsChannel 13 says sources close to the investigation have told them that 9 year old Melina has been found dead. More information as it becomes available. 

Update 11:16am: New York State Police have updated Melina's poster with a new photo: 

An AMBER Alert was issued early Sunday morning for 9-year-old Melina Galanis Frattolin, who was abducted from Lake George, New York, on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

Who to Look For:

• Name: Melina Galanis Frattolin

• Age: 9 years old

• Sex: Female

• Race: Indian

• Height: 5’0”

• Weight: 100 lbs.

• Hair: Brown

• Eyes: Brown

• Clothing: Shorts, a blue and white striped shirt, and white Adidas sneakers

Incident Details:
Melina was last seen around 9:40 p.m. traveling southbound on I-87 near Exit 22 in Lake George. She was reportedly taken in a white van. Authorities believe she is in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.

What To Do:
If you have any information or spot Melina or the suspect vehicle, call 911 immediately or contact the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at 518-743-2501.

For updates, visit amber.ny.gov.

Please stay alert and help bring Melina home safely.